F & P Simplus FFM is here

[hyperlexis]

How much is a new cushion? Does anyone know?

Still nothing on the internet except foreign websites.

Like razorblades, a mask's full cost cant be appreciated without also considering the cost of replacement cushions, headgear, etc. Especially important if paying cash.

Although I have not really been able to figure out cushion costs if billed through insurance. If there is just a billing code for a cushion, does the amount a DME bills and gets paid (and the patient's share of the bill) a fixed, flat amount or does it vary by brand and type of cushion/mask?

[DoriC]

Dori, Just wondering if you guys have tried the Quattro FX? It's the only FFM that I've gotten to somewhat work for me. Separately, I know you're a pro at this , but just thought I'd mention / ask whether you've tried a chinstrap/pap-cap together with the FFM? I've found that my jaw tends to go up and down a lot at night (I sleep talk? ), and that causes the mask to move. The pap-cap prevents my jaw from falling, which helps keep the seal. Perhaps Mike also likes to exercise his jaw while sleeping?
Dave, similar question for you in case you've tried the Quattro FX, can you also compare the silicon of the Simplus to the Quattro FX? I found that the other F&P masks I tried several years ago had a very strange type of silicon - more rigid and heavier than the Resmed/Respironics masks.
BTW, what's the difference between the old Quattro and the Quattro Air? I haven't been following mask technology for a few years!

Hi Echo, we tried the FX but it rides up into his eyes, I tried the fix someone mentioned with a velcro strap attached to the bottom headgear but it was a disaster when he tried to take his mask off himself. We also tried the Papcap early on but it freaked him out, He doesn't tolerate too much "stuff". The Air is a beautiful mask but Dave and I both found that it was too narrow and caused lots of leaking. If it fits your face it's a winner. I must say we do alright with our good old UltraMirageFF and QuattroFF but sometimes they go beserk and nothing I do fixes them. I'm looking for the "perfect mask"! Right now he's going through a leak-free period, sssshhh!

[echo]

I'm looking for the "perfect mask"!

FFM woes, do they never end??

Right now he's going through a leak-free period, sssshhh!

Woo hooo, that's great! Knocking on wood for you right now, hoping it continues!

[TangledHose]

My new Simplus FFM arrived at my home yesterday from cpap dot com. There is a PDF fitting template on cpap dot com which I printed before ordering (be sure and print actual size at 100% and I used "Landscape" printing mode to get the template to fit on single page) -- the template indicated I was a medium size which just so happens to be the same sizing as my Mirage Quattro, so it has been my experience that the sizing seems to be very similar to the Mirage Quattro. So I got a chance to try the mask last night and it was terrific......it's nice and light, simple designe with less parts, the exhaust port streams the exhaust out and up at about the same angle as the Mirage Quattro (I had a terrible time when I tried the Quattro Air as it blew the exhaust straight out from mask all over my hands and arms so I am glad to see the Simplus with it's exhaust where the Mirage Quattro was) - the design of the new Simplus is simple with less parts and the nose bridge area seems wider and more comfortable than the Mirage Quattro.......on my Quattro the bridge of my nose could get sore if I slept on my pillow at the wrong angle, but the Simplus has more cushion in the bridge area - the cusion is wider and thus more comfortable. My leaks were minimal and inline or a bit less than my Mirage Quattro. So all in all this mask will be my new standard and I am putting the Mirage Quatro in the closet as a back up. Another feature that is nice on the new Simplus is a semi-ball joint where the 90 degree hose connection elbow joins the mask - - it not only allows for full rotation 360 degrees like the quattro, but also allows for movement up and down about 15 to 20 degrees, so the hose will have a bit more freedom as you move around on the pillow. I would say the only somewhat negative thing I can say about the mask is that the head gear is a little thicker and a bit more cumbersome as it has a strap that goes over the top of your head -- it was easy to adjust all the straps on the headgear, but I did notice the thickness of the straps when my head was against the pillow - however it only took a few minutes to get used to the thicker straps and they really didn't bother me later in the night. So in closing I would say that if you get along well with your current Mirage Quattro, but would like to try a Full Face Mask that is newer in design, lighter, and a bit more comfortable over the bridge of your nose this new Simplus mask should be considered. I have not yet checked into the cost for replacement cushions, but the overall cost of the entire mask was lower than the retail cost of a Mirage Quattro so my guess is the cushion should come in at a somewhat similar cost.

This is a keeper mask for me, but of course we all have different fitting needs so my success with this mask may or may not be similar to your experience - I would suggest that if you order from cpap dot com you should get their return insurance just in case.

I think tonight I will try to see if the pad a cheek liner from my Quattro will fit on the Simplus - I think it will, and I will report back on that tomorrow.

[mgaggie]

Thanks for the feedback Tangled. I am starting to get sick of my mask leaving large red marks on the bridge of my nose.

[TangledHose]

I was able to use the pad a cheek mask cover from my Mirage Quattro on the new Simplus mask......all I had to do was take scissors and cut an opening at each end of the forehead pad because the Simplus straps have to pass through the ends of the forehead pad, but other than that the pad a cheek cover seems to fit just fine. I did not cover up the exhaust holes as they are basically located in the same position on either mask. So now that the pad a cheek is in place I will test it out tonight and report back.

[Denial Dave]

started using mine on Friday.... I love the headgear.... it's much more cushioned than the resmed headgear....

sizing is indeed almost the same as the Quattro..... I'm using an old pad a cheek liner from a Quattro FX that I had in my box of spares.

I like the feel of the exhaust, its a pleasure compared to the Quattro AIR. love the swivel socket. Leaks at my higher bi-pap pressures are close to what I get with the Quattro... 95% of the time I'm below 10 with spikes in the 20's.

Having said all of that, I'm having a little bit of minor acclimation issues with the Simplus.

I'm primarily a side sleeper and I haven't quite gotten the hang of adjusting the straps quite right. Every so often, I get some minor pain on my cheek that is not on the pillows. it seems like the pillow is trying to shift the mask to one side of my face.... something I've never experienced with the Quattro.

All in all, the Simplus is a very nice mask... much better than the Quattro Air. it's like a lighter weight Quattro FX with a small forehead stabilizer.

Once I figure out the headgear adjustments, it may completely replace my old reliable Quattro. it's a keeper !

[DoriC]

Thanks for the reviews, so you're saying a Medium Simplus would be the same as Medium Quattro FF? I'll be interested to know if you find a solution to the "pain" you're having when the mask shifts. That would worry me because Mike probably wouldn't tell me. I really like the looks of it but I won't jump the gun this time like I did with the Air. It seems like you and Mike have similar shape faces (handsome!)

[TangledHose]

just finished my third night on the new Simplus having come from years on the Mirage Quattro (both size medium) -- I was able to slightly modify the Pad A Cheek liner from my Mirage Quattro to fit the new Simplus so that is a big bennefit for me - all I had to do was cut openings in the ends of the forhead cover so I could run the Simplus forhead straps through the Pad A Cheek cover - that works just fine and makes the forhead support nice and comfy. My leaks have been slightly better with the Simplus and it fits the bridge of my nose much better - the Mirage Quattro was just ok in the bridge area, but some mornings I would have a sore bridge because I slept wrong on the pillow with the Quattro, but absolutely no problems in that area with the Simplus - seems there is a lot more cushion thickness on the Simplus and the nose bridge area seems wider than that on the Quattro. One other thing I noticed is the exhaust diffuser on the Simplus must spread the exhaust out a bit more as the exhaust air when you feel it with your hand seems less focused and therefore less forcefull because it is slightly more diffused - I sleep with ear plugs so I don't know about the sound but I have heard the diffuser is quieter than the Quattro.

I also looked into cost for replacement cushions - - on another cpap supply web site I saw them priced at $32 for replacement - - I am sure that we will see replacement cushions an pricing pop up soon on cpap dot com as they get some inventory of parts for the new mask.

This is my new standard mask now as I find it to be more comfortable overall than the Mirage Quattro - - I also notice when I look in the mirror in the morning at my pretty mug I have far less indentation marks on my face - another bennefit.

[DoriC]

Tangled, thanks for the review, now I'm getting interested! Any changes to your AHI, snores,etc? I called the DME today to ask about the Simplus, she hadn't heard of it but immediately checked cpapdotcom before I even mentioned it and said she'd look into ordering it. She said we're not due until the end of Dec but she'd try to get it for us sooner because it looks so nice,especially the headgear.

[markdh]

I had high hopes for the Simplus, but the leaks are just uncontrollable for me.

Originally I thought I had the wrong size cushion, but after the sizing guides appeared it looks like I did choose the right size. The problem seems to be the angle of the forehead part of the mask frame; it's rigid and keeps the cushion too far away from my face.

That may not be an issue for others, but it's a deal killer for me.

At least the Quattro Air still works most of the time.

[TangledHose]

Tangled, thanks for the review, now I'm getting interested! Any changes to your AHI, snores,etc? I called the DME today to ask about the Simplus, she hadn't heard of it but immediately checked cpapdotcom before I even mentioned it and said she'd look into ordering it. She said we're not due until the end of Dec but she'd try to get it for us sooner because it looks so nice,especially the headgear.

So far my AHI has been about the same after three nights, so not much change there - I have been averaging about 1.7 for a long time - - the only numbers that have changed are the leak figures indicating less leak with the Simplus than the Mirage Quattro. I have tried the Quattro FX (didn't fit my face well at all - only lasted a few hours before tearing it off) and I have also experimented with the Quattro Air, which also only lasted a few hours with mostly because it's exhaust diffuser sent the air all over my hands and arms and that drove me crazy. The Simplus is the first FFM that I have tried that I acctually like better than my trusty Mirage Quattro. I think everyone that uses CPAP is on a constant search for the "One Great Mask" -- don't know if the perfect mask ever really exists, but we all keep looking. So far for me and my face type the Simplus is the best FFM I have tried and it's a keeper for me until the next better mask arrives

[Denial Dave]

I just did my 2nd full night with the mask...... I''ve been able to solve my strap issues. Essentially, one side of the headgear needs to be tighter than the other for my side sleeping.

I am an active sleeper and it has not shifted on my face at all.

I have to mention that the feel of air flow inside the mask is very diferent than the Quattro.... As best I can describe it, it feels like it is diffused and less "in your face".

I'm not yet sold on it completely replacing my "old reliable" Quattro yet. But it's very close!

[mgaggie]

thanks for the feedback, its much appreciated

[Jay Aitchsee]

Here's my take on the new Simplus after an 8 day trial, I like it!

The mask is similar to the Mirage Quattro, but it just feels more comfortable. As mentioned earlier, the design of the cushion lessens the chance of nose bridge irritation and it doesn't seem to mark the face as much. Sizing seems to be about the same as the Quattro, I wear a medium in both. The headgear seems bulky – extra strap over the head and thicker, but doesn't feel so on. One thing I've noticed is that I don't have the soreness at the base of my skull as with the Quattro headgear. I'm an active side sleeper and the mask seems to stay put through the night. Although it could be my imagination, the mask and headgear combo does seem a little warmer than the Quattro.

The Simplus is the first mask I've tried, and I've tried a lot, that didn't require a lot of tweaking to stop it from leaking. I just took the the mask out of the bag, put it on, snugged up the straps a little, and it was good to go.

The S8/S9 calculated leak rate is a little lower with the Simplus compared to the Quattro as the Simplus flow rate is slightly less – by about 2 L/min, but I believe the actual leak rate is also lower, for me, anyway. The one really good thing is that, although I've noticed some leaks, the mask hasn't made any of those obnoxious sounds common to the Quattro and other masks.

Bottom line is I like the mask, I seem to sleep better with it and I see no reason to go back to the Quattro.

Here are my numbers from the last 8 days on the Simplus and the previous 8 on the Quattro:
Quattro....................................Simplus
ZQ 67............................................71
95% leak 13.8..................................6.6
AI 0.6............................................0.4
AHI 3.0..........................................2.6

Oh, and I think F&P should be commended for making a mask that the size can be changed by changing the cushion and not the whole mask.